Here Comes the Sun

They rose from modest beginnings to become, in their own words “The Toppermost of the Poppermost.” Today, music enthusiasts and historians have begun to look back to the era before they were the Fab Four and before their singles were automatic No. 1s to understand what contributed to their enduring success. Our presenter Paul Groom was born, and lived for the first seventeen years of his life in Liverpool, England. He went to the same High School as Paul and George; he went to the same Sunday school as John Lennon; he went to the youth club where John met Paul; he lived in the same village as George and John; and he (of course) is a Beatles fan. Paul and his family are now Scotch Plains residents. Registration is recommended.

Astronomer Bob Reichman returns to discuss Our Magnetic Sun. There is no fire on the Sun! All that energy is electromagnetic. We’ll start inside to share fun solar facts, learn about sun spots, the Northern Lights and see 2017 Total Solar Eclipse pics. After our program, we’ll go outside to set up a specialized, h-alpha solar telescope that will let us safely observe the Sun and provide us views of any sunspots or solar prominences that might be visible. Every child will receive a UV-sensitive bead bracelet that “magically” changes color in sunlight, but not other bright lights. Registration is recommended.

Rain barrels capture water from a roof for later use on lawns or gardens. In this workshop, we’ll make rain barrels to take home with help from representatives from the AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors Program. All participants will need to bring their own safety glasses and this specified diverter kit: EarthMinded DIY Rain Barrel Diverter and Parts Kit -RBK-0001. Options for purchasing can be found online at Amazon and Home Depot. We will supply the 55-gallon industrial-grade containers. (If you have an electric or battery-operated drill, please bring that as well.) Participants must have a downspout at home in order to install these barrels, and should be prepared to follow the written instructions that come with the kit in order to complete the installation at home on their own – this includes drilling a hole in your downspout. This workshop is limited to the first 10 individuals or families who register here.